Milwaukee Bucks vs Houston Rockets

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Following a tough loss in the In-Season Tournament Semifinal versus the Indiana Pacers last week, the Bucks have rebounded impressively, securing victories in their last three games. Among these wins was Giannis Antetokounmpo's incredible performance, setting a career and franchise record by scoring 64 points against the Pacers. Their recent domination over the Detroit Pistons adds to their winning streak, though the Pistons' current standing diminishes the bragging rights.

The Bucks' offense has been exceptional lately, scoring over 120 points in seven of their last ten games and claiming victory in all seven high-scoring matchups. Giannis's exceptional form, averaging 32.0 points and 10.8 rebounds per game, has thrust him back into the MVP conversation.

Meanwhile, after enduring several lackluster seasons, the Houston Rockets, under first-year coach Ime Udoka, have emerged as a surprising force this season. Previously labeled as an "AAU team" for relying heavily on rookies and young players, the team has undergone a transformation with the addition of experienced players like Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, and Aaron Holiday. This change has paid off, with the Rockets boasting a 13-9 record. While lacking a standout offensive star like Giannis or Damian Lillard, the team's depth has proven effective, highlighted by their competitive record against top teams like the defending-champion Denver Nuggets.

Key players for the Rockets include Alperen Şengün, averaging 19.7 points per game, alongside Jalen Green and VanVleet contributing 17.8 and 16.4 points respectively.

Khris Middleton is set to return for the Bucks after a rest day against Detroit, while Malik Beasley is expected to play despite a non-COVID illness. Jae Crowder remains sidelined due to ongoing rehabilitation for an adductor and abdominal tear.

For the Rockets, Jae’Sean Tate and Amen Thompson are questionable due to illnesses, while Victor Oladipo is anticipated to make a comeback from a knee injury for the upcoming game.

The focus also remains on Bobby Portis, who displayed a strong performance against the Pistons with a season-high 31 points. Despite skepticism due to the Pistons' status, Portis has been quietly impressive lately, averaging 22.3 points over his last three games and shooting an impressive 57% from three-point range in that stretch. If given substantial playing time, another noteworthy performance from Portis might be on the horizon. Fans of Bobby Portis have reason to celebrate!